Hungry? Try one of these...UPDATED for 2012!

Here are some recipes that we are loving over here. All are "new" to us in that I have only been making them since the New Year started. If you try one and enjoy it, let me know!

I have been posting most of my new recipe finds over on Pinterest.  Come and take a look!

Pepperoni Rolls.  I've made this three times since I pinned it to my Pinterest board a few months ago.  It is one of Ivan's favorites.  When he sees it on the menu board, he gets so excited.  I like to make this tomato sauce to dip it in.  Mmmm.  Enjoy!  (9/14/12)

Navy Bean and Smoked Sausage soup - a clear winner with J. This has become his favorite soup. It makes a ton, but the leftovers are really good too. (3/1/10)

Fire-Roasted Tomato Chipotle soup - this is now one of my favorite soups. I really do not like tomatoes as a general rule so this was a risk for me to try. However, fire roast those things and I LOVE them. We have found that the tortilla chips are completely unnecessary but smoked cheddar is a must. Good stuff. (3/1/10)

Chicken Divan - my sister has been raving about this dish for a long time now. I finally tried it a few weeks ago. It's good, not great. A little heavy to have in the regular rotation, but we made two and now have one in the freezer for an easy meal one evening. (3/1/10)  I feel compelled to add:  I made this again last night with much more appealing results.  I used a little less curry than it calls for (personal taste) and a different and more appealing wine.  Oh, and a roasted chicken that I got on sale at the grocery store.  All of these minor changes added up to a much more satisfying meal!  So now I can heartily recommend this meal...go and enjoy.  (11/23/10)

Teriaki Chicken with a side of snark by TirienneAnne - I made this for dinner tonight. It was delightful. I served the chicken and sauce over brown rice (family preference) and sauteed some snow peas and tossed them into the bowl as well. A definite keeper! (3/1/10)

Shrimp Tacos from Southern Living September 2009 issue - we tried these on the Fourth of July and they were delicious! If you try them feel free to make the batter as follows: 1 egg, 1 cup beer, 1 cup flour, and 2 tsp. fajita seasoning. Don't forget the Mexislaw either...it adds great flavor and crunch. (7/24/10)

Emeril's uber rich and oh so good BBQ shrimp.  Wow, and double wow.  This was so scrumptious I can't even explain how authentic it tasted.  Well worth the effort, which wasn't as much as you would think.  Try it, you'll love it! (8/28/10)

Ellen's Tex-Mex Stuffed Peppers.  I found this recipe on one of my favorite blogs last month and finally got around to trying it tonight.  It made a ton of food so I hope the leftovers are as good as the original!  J and I enjoyed it and I plan to make it again soon.  Perhaps next time making it in two dishes and sending the second dish to my parent's house.  Try it, you'll like it!  (10/11/10)

New England Clam Chowder.  What a warm and creamy treat.  I used inexpensive, canned chopped clams to help keep this affordable.  A great bowl of warmth on a cold Sunday afternoon.  This was easy and quick.  Yum. (10/17/10) 

Seared Duck Breast.  J made this last year for Christmas and we decided to make it again this year.  Wow and double wow.  That pretty much sums it up folks. (12/25/10)



As you can clearly see I love to search for recipes on The Food Network. They have so much variety and it's easy to search. I love to serve soup on Sunday evenings so that is why there are many soups recipes. Bon appetite!

Quick Takes #3

--- 1 ---

Ivan was out for Winter Break the first three days of this week.  It was really nice spending some extra time together.  We especially enjoyed not having to be so structured each day.  I love structure as a general rule, however, it is always nice to be a little less rigid.

--- 2 ---

I made some more homemade hummus this week.  Yum!  Might I suggest that you read the comments and watch the video before making it.  There are some really helpful hints in the comments.  It is also great with some chipolte peppers mixed in.  Enjoy!

--- 3 ---

I was asked this week to co-chair our church's VBS this summer.  I really prayed about it and am still a little unsure if I am following God's plan or my own fear with my answer.  I declined on Wednesday evening.  Sadly, this has never been a ministry I felt led to serve in, much less co-chair!  I am feeling a little smarmy because I am a "pleaser" and I KNOW that my answer was not pleasing.

--- 4 ---

I went to the dentist this morning.  A good report overall, just a few fillings that need to be replaced.  Ugh. However, at least they are not crowns!  I have had one crown done and it was terribly expensive.  Thank goodness for dental insurance.

--- 5 ---

Ivan's birthday is just around the corner.  He will be eight!  I can hardly believe it.  He is really starting to explore testing boundaries with me in particular.  I need to pray for more patience and consistency in my parenting.  He is a great kid overall, but he is willing to push my buttons from time to time.  I guess we would call that normal!  

--- 6 ---

We are planning a week at the beach for Ivan's Spring Break.  I am getting very excited about this trip.  The weather will likely not be as good as last year (we are going two weeks earlier) but the getting away part should be just as rewarding!

--- 7 ---

I am trying to be more thankful in my prayer life this year.  So far, I have been fairly successful with including thanks for many (seemingly mundane) things each day in my prayers.  However, I feel that I am becoming a little static with my thanks.  I need to really work on moving beyond where I am now and dig a little deeper to share with God my appreciation of all that he has done/is doing/will do for me.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Yumm-o!

I love this stuff. I discovered it while I was on a girls weekend with my friend S in January. I just finished the jar : ( and am looking forward to our next trip to Charlotte to get some more. If I can wait that long!

Eatin' Good in the Neighborhood...

Ivan is a good eater, no doubt about it. He loves almost all fruit and most vegetables and just about anything else that we set in front of him. So, it came as no surprise last night when he made the more sign over his empty broccoli bowl. What did come as a surprise was when he did it two more times! After three helpings of broccoli I cut him off though. Oh, I hope that his good eating habits are lifetime habits.